Advertising clock



Feb. 23, 1932.

G. WILLENS 1,846,929

ADVERT I S ING CLOCK Filed June 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l InventorGeo/"9e Wzl [8716 any Feb. 23, 1932. G. WILLENS 2 ADVERTISING CLOCK IFiled June 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i in . nu... u

F99 Inventor eorgeU/(Mens taaaaaa GEORGE WILLENS, or CHICAGO, IL IrroIsADVERTISI G cLooK Application filed June 10, 1931. SeriaI'No. 543,330.

My invention relates in general to advertising and morein particular toan advertising clock. The invention is in some of its aspects animprovement in the advertising clock disclosed in my co-pendingapplication, Serial #513,345, filed February 4th, 1931. 1

In general the advertising clock of my prior invention comprises a clockcase having the usual clock facewith hands driven by a. suitable clockmechanism, preferably in cluding a small synchronous motor and a timetrain for conveying the measured movement of the synchronous motor inproper rel5 lation to the hands. The clock frame also houses anadvertising drum, the outer sur-' face of which bears a plurality ofadvertising placards which are visible through an opening provided inthe clock casing for this purpose. Mechanism is employed for partiallyrotating the drum at controlled intervalsfor displaying through theopening one advertising placard at a time. The mechanism for controllingthe operation of the drum is driven by the clock mechanism, in itspreferred formfrom the synchronous motor. I

A small synchronous motor of the type used in clocks is by its naturelimited in power 3 such a way as to consu'me as little power aspossible, consistent with satisfactory opera,- tionI The drum drivingmechanism must be capable of exact adjustment also, and the .ment musttake into considerationthe limited power available and moreover must beinexpensive or the clock as an advertising medium "defeats its ownpurpose. fragile parts which must be employed to so; cure the resultsdesired must not be such as'to be thrown out of adjustment orlorc'ike'n.

.busers of the clocks, Who are apt-to slibj ectdi Views Showing modifiedconstructions 7 them to considerably more abuse thanr'a manufacturerwill intend.

respects. 5 j -Ordingly, the principal object of my of the clock.

or torque and the drum must be driven in.

mechanism for securing this exact adjust-.

The relatively Kings, I employ a clock casing 10 having a 9 clock case11 and minute and hour hands 12 invention isto provide improved drumdriving mechanism. Another object is the provision of such mechanismwhich willconsume a relatively small amount of power.

'Another object isthe provision of such mechanism which willpermitsimple and direct adjustment of the drum and the advertising matterthereon;

Another object is the provision of sucha mechanism which can be operatedfrom power taken directly off of the second hand Another object is theprovision of mechanism of this character which can be cheaplymanufactured and maintained. I

Another object is to improve the construction of the drum itself; pAnother object is to provide a direct, relationship between the secondhand of the clock and the advertising mechanism.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent fro-m aconsideration of the following detail description, taken" withtheaccompanying drawings,xwherein Fig. 1 is a front elevational view ofthe clock, i i Fig. 2 is an irregular View taken through Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing features of the drumdriving mechavertical sectional nism, f

through the drum. I v I Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing adetail of construction of the drum,

and r Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged fragmentary Referring now more indetail to the drawand 13, respectively, driven by a suitable time train14, which in turn is actuated by a clock mechanism 16, preferably asmall synchronous motor. The clock mechanism 16 is M shown schematicallyand inchrdesgearin to v drive a second shaft 17 at proper speed. be

time train 14 transmits the motion of the shaft 17 to the hands 12 and13, through suitable means well known in the art. The secnd hand 18 isdriven directly from the shaft connection with the clock mechanism forchanging the motion to a reciprocating mo- 1 tion, which motion throughsuitable means of the machine.

is conveyed to the drum. I

The clock mechanism 16 is supported on a cross-bar 21; andpivoted to thecross-bar at 22 is a lever 23, which lever has a lever bar '24 carryingescapement pins 26 and .27.- A

star wheel 28 which turns with the shaft 17 is provided with star teeth28a, which cooperate with. the pins 26 and 27 to produce an escapementmechani sm which causes a vertical reciprocation of the lever 23 whenthe shaft 17 is turned. In Fig. 3 thisescapement mechanism is shown inthe position that it occupies'when the lever 23 is'in substantially itsuppermost position. The lever 23 is attached by means of a link 29 to aratchet drive mechanism which transmits the reciprocating motion of thelever to the drum and rotates the drum partitally, the amount ofrotation being determined by the design It is understood that thepurpose of this rotation is successively to display advertisingplacards, each of which is supported on one of an equalnumber ofsubdivisions of the drum.

The drum comprises thin metal end plates 31 and 32, each formed withperipheral and annular grooves 31a and 32a facing each other, and a.cylinder 33 preferably formed of relatively heavy paper. The ends of thecylinder extend into the grooves 31a and 32a and the drum, as a whole isassembled by tie rods 34 extending through the drum and'throughapertures in the end plates, the ends being bent over as shown. Thisprovides a very simpleand economical 'but efficient construction andamong the important features thereof is the conservation of weight. i

A center shaft 36 extends axially through the drum and is secured to theclock casing by screws 37 and 38. Looking at Fig. 6, the right-handsideof the drum has a bearing 39 inserted in the end plate 32- on whichthe drum turns on the center shaft 36. A spacer 41 is disposed betweenthe, bearing .39 and the outer clock casing.

At the opposite end of the drum is disposed the mechanism whichfunctions with the escapement mechanism previously de-. scribed toimpart the proper rotation and control to the drum. This includes abrake casing.

bar 42, a ratchetlever 43, a hub 44 and aratchet wheel 46 mountedtogether and cooperating with each other in a manner which will now beexplained.

The hub 44 has a flange portion 44a disposed within the drum and adaptedto bear against the end plate 31. The hub proper 44 is mounted on thecenter shaft 36 and carries the ratchet wheel 46 riveted thereto. Acompression spring .47 is disposed-around the hub 44 and has one endbearing against the ratchet wheel 46 ancl the opposite end bearingagainst the end plate of the drum. It will be seen from thisconstruction that motion imparted tothe ratchet wheel 46 will by thefrictional engagement with the end plate 31 cause a rotation of thedrum, but that the drum may be turned without relation to the ratchetwheel 46 as may be desirable for adjustment of the drum and for otherpurposes. In other words, a slip clutch drive connection is providedbetween the ratchet wheel 46 and the drum.

Now for imparting rotation to the ratchet wheel, I provide the ratchetdrive lever43 mounted on a hub 48 on the center shaft 36. The hub 48 isspaced from the hub 44 by a spacing lock washer 49, disposed in anannular slot in the center shaft 36. This spac-' ing washer is securedin position in the following manner. appliedpermits it; to pass over thecenter shaft Its inside diameter when 36 and it is slid over the centershaft to the annular slot, and is there merely collapsed with a pair ofpliers to force two sides down into the slot. This makes a light butperma nent assembly and one which will hold sat-isfactorily with therelatively small load placed upon it.

The ratchet lever 43 is pivotally connected at 51 to the link' 29 andvertical reciprocable movement of this link imparts a'rotaryreciprocating motion to the ratchet lever. A

ratchet drive spring 52 carried by the ratchet I provide positive meansfor anchoring the I ratchet wheel and drum to the position to which theyare moved by the ratchet lever.

The brake bar 42 is mounted to the end of the center shaft 36 and bearsagainst the clock Its position between the clock casing and the end ofthe center shaft renders it substantially immovable, although it can bemoved slightly if desired, to effect certain adjustments which will beexplainedl The brake bar carries springs 53 and 54 disposed no Iopposite each other and adapted to engage in the peripheral slots 46a onthe ratchet wheel." The sprin 54 is disposed in a plane substantiallytangent to the ratchet wheel so that 7 when it moves into a slot 46a itwill prevent movement of the ratchet wheel in either direction. On theratchet lever 43, however, I provide a spring release or depressingmember 56, which as shown in dottedlines in Fig. 3, engages the spring54 at substantially the time the ratchet lever drive spring 52 en gagesin one of the slots 46a to advance the ratchet wheel a distance equal tothe distance between the slots. At this time when the advancement of theratchet wheel 46 starts, the

spring 54 is by this means held out of the slot in the ratchet wheel andthe drive of the ratchet wheel proceeds without interference. The spring53, however, is disposed at an angle so as to prevent back movement ofthe ratchet wheel 46. Its action takes place when the spring 54 has beenreleased, but while the ratchet leveris stillmoving in a reversedirection beforeit is advanced for driving the cylinder33 is formedpreferably of rela tively stifi paper or fibre board; Advertising matteris printedv or otherwise shown. on

placards 57, (Fig. 7) which are a proper size to be seen completelythrough the opening in the casing. Forsecuring the placards in position,Iform tabs 58 from the material of the cylinder, these tabs being formedby partly cutting out a portion of the paper of.

the cylinder while the cylinder is in the form of a flat sheet of-papen-When the paper is formed into a cylinder the tabs 58-tend to projectpartly so that the paper placards 57 can easily beins'erted under thetabs.

- The paper cylinder is snugly but \i not tightly secured at its ends bythe end plates 31 and 32 and so the-entire cylinder can be turned in theplates for adjustment purposes.

In the modification of Fig. 8, I secure the paper placards 57' inposition by a-paper strip 61 secured to the cylinder 33 by staples 62.This provides a projecting edge under which the placard can be extended.

With this construction the paper cylinder also is secured between theendplates in the manner shown in Fig. 6. W

Fig. '9shows a still furthermodification of the drumcylinder formounting the placards in place. The paper cylinder 133 has a portion133a folded back'on itself to form a longitudinal tab like foldedprojectionunder.

ylvhiizh the placard edges are adapted to be el r When using theadvertising device, the paper placards are secured to the outside of thedrum in the manner shown, the number. of

placards corresponding with the number of teeth in the star wheel 26.and also with the number of slots in the ratchet wheel 46. Acoordingly,when the drum is partially rotated, the entire placard is disposed inproper position, each one of the placards appearing in order at theopening to the clock casing.-

Once the driving mechanism has been set, the placards will continue tobe displayed properly, due to the relationship between the number ofplacards and the'characteriof the driving mechanism. {Although I showsixdrive'positions in the present embodiment, it is obvious that a greateror less number can be employed.

v The drive is through a friction clutch arrangement, so if the drum isnot in proper position the whole drum can be turned without affectingthe driving'mechanism in order to place the, placard in proper position.When applying the placards to'the drum, the drum can be rotated orheld'stationary in any way required by the operator to insert theplacards'without loss of time ,and without danger ofinjury to thedriving mechanism.

One. of the features of my present adver tising clock is in connectionwith the second hand 18, Around the dialface there is a narrow circularband .65. I divide this circular band into a number of sections,corresix sections. Each one of these sections is given somedistinguishing characteristic, as,

for example, a different color asillustrated placards to correspond tothe designating or identifying characteristics of the individualsectionsof the band. For example, if a section of the band. is red, thepredominating color in the advertising placard which is pointingxto thissection, will also be red.

This is' an attractive novelty and advertistheir advertising is blue,for example, might contract for all of the blue space during a 'spondingto the number of advertising placards on the drum; in the presentinstance, I

'in Fig. 1. ll then prepare the advertising will be displayed at thetime the second hand definite period. This arrangement with the 1 secondhand tells' the observer in advance when a placard will be displayed,which he may be interested in. In this way it. is obviousthat the secondhand and advertising drum operate together to secure {a useful result. I

What I'claim is newand desire to protect by Letters. Patent of theUnited States is novel and 1. In an advertisingclocli, a clock mechanismhaving a driven shaft, arotatable drum,

means for supporting advertising matter on the drum, a pivoted lever,escapement mecha nism on the shaft and leverfor reciprocating the leveron its pivot, and connections from the lever to the drum for impartingmovement to the drum.

2. In an advertising clock, a clock mechanism having a driven shaft,a'rotatable drum,

.means, for supporting advertising matter on the drum, a pivoted lever,escapement mechanism on the shaft and lever for reciprocating the leveron its 'pivot, and connections from the lever to the drum for impartingmovement to the drum, said escapement mechanism comprising a pair ofpins spaced from the pivot and displaced transversely thereof, and astar wheel on the drive shaft shaped to engage and depress said 'pinsalternately whereby moveinentof the pins is effectlve to reciprocatesaid lever;

' 3. In an advertising clock, a clock mechanism having a driven shaft, arotatable drum,

means for supporting advertising matter on the drum, a pivoted lever,escapement mechanism on the shaft and lever for reciprocating the leveron its pivot,a drum actuating rod having one end pivotally connected tosaid lever, and a ratchet mechanism at oneend of the drum and driven bysaid rod for imparting a partial rotation to the drum at eachreciprocation of. the said lever.

4. In an advertisingclock, arotatable drum adapted tobe'ar advertisingmatter, a center shaft to which the drum is axially. pivoted, a

ratchet Wheel rotatably supported on said 7 center shaft and havingequally spaced pcripheral drive-slots, a ratchet lever also pivot-" allysupported on said center shaft, a ratchet V drive spring carriedbytheratchet lever and adapted to engage insaid peripheral slots,

' means includinga-clock mechanism for re- 'ciprocating said ratchetlever whereby. the

- ratchet wheel is also reciprocated, and fric tion means between theratchet wheel and drum for imparting the-.movement of the ratchet wheelto the drum. I

5. In an advertising clock, a rotatable drum adapted to bear advertisingmatter, a center shaft to which the drum is axially pivoted,

7 a ratchet wheel rotatably supported on the center shaft, acom pressionspring disposed around the center shaft and between the drum '1 andratchet wheel, and ratchet means for driving the ratchet wheel, saiddrum being driven by the ratchet wheel through said 'spring,and saiddrum being permitted man ual. turning movement independent of. theratchet wheel.

6. In an advertising clock, a drum adapted to bear advertising matter, acenter shaft to which the drum is axially pivoted, a ratchet wheelrotatably supported on said center shaft,a ratchet wheel having aratchet drive spring adapted to engage said ratchet wheel, a brake barhaving a spring for engag ng the ratchet Wheel, means for reciprocatingthe ratchet lever to drive the ratchet wheel,

means for releasing the brake bar spring at each movement of the ratchetlever and means for imparting movement of the ratchet wheel to the drum.

7. In an advertising clock, a drum havingv end plates and a cylinderadapted to bear hdvertisingmatter, a'center shaft to which the drum isaxially pivoted, a ratchet wheel assembly including a hub rotatablsupported on the center shaft, extending through an end plate of thedrum, a flange around the hub adapted to bear against. theinside face ofthe end plate, a ratchet wheel on the hub, a coil "spring disposedaround the hub and having one end bearing against the ratchet wheel andthe other end bearing against the drum, and means for driving saidratchet Wheel.

8. ,In-an advertising clock, a drum having end plates and acylinderadapted to bear advertising matter, a center shaft to which thedrum is axially pivoted, a ratchet Wheel assembly including a hubrotatably supported on the center shaft, extending through an end plateof the drum, a flange around the hub adapted to bear against theinsideface 0f the end plate, a ratchet wheel on the hub,-a coil springdisposed around the hub and having one end bearing against the ratchetwheel and theother end bearing against the drum, a ratchet leverrotatably supported on'the center shaft, a ratchet drive spring carriedby the ratchet lever-and engaging said ratchet wheel andmeansincluding aclock mecha-- having one end bearing against the ratchet wheel and theother end bearing against the drum, a ratchet lever rotatably supportedon the center. shaft, a ratchet drive spring carried by the ratchetlever and engaging said ratchet wheel and means including a clockmechanism for reciprocating said ratchet lever to drive the ratchetwheel and drum, a brake bar-supported in alignment-with the centershaft, having abrake spring adapted to engage the ratchet wheel, andmeans car ried by the-ratchet lever for releasing the brake bar springat each reciprocation ofthe ratchet leverf 10. In an advertising clock,a drum having end plates and a cylinder adapted to bear advertisingmatter, a center shaft to which the drum is axially pivoted, a ratchetwheel rotatably supported on the center shaft and having peripheraldrive slots, a ratchet lever also pivoted on the center shaft and havinga drive spring adapted to engage in said slots to drive the ratchetwheel, and pivoted drive lever, a link connection between said drivelever and ratchet lever, a clock mechanism, and escapement mechanismdriven by the clock mechanism for reciprocating said drive lever, and afriction driving connection between the ratchet wheel and drum.

11. In an advertising clock, a drum having end plates and a cylinderadapted to bear advertising matter, a center shaft to which the drum isaxially pivoted, a ratchet wheel rotatably supported on the center shaftand having peripheral drive slots, a ratchet lever also pivoted on thecenter shaft and hav ing a drive spring adapted to engage in said slotsto drive the ratchet wheel, braking means for the ratchet wheelincluding a stop spring adapted to engage the edge of the ratchet wheel,and pivoted drive lever, a link connection between said drive lever andratchet lever, 21 clock mechanism, and escapement mechanism driven bythe clock mechanism for reciprocating said drive lever, and a frictiondriving connection between the ratchet wheel and drum.

12. In an advertising clock, a drum having end plates and a cylinderadapted to bear advertising matter, a center shaft to which the drum isaxially pivoted, a ratchet wheel rotatably supported on the center shaftand having peripheral drive slots, a ratchet lever also pivoted on thecenter shaft and having a drive spring adapted to engage in said slotsto drive the ratchet wheel, a brake bar having oppositely disposedsprings adapted to engage the ratchet wheel, one of said springsengaging to hold in both directions and the other of said springsadapted to hold to prevent reverse movement of the ratchet wheel, meanson the ratchet lever for releasing one of said springs preparatory toadvancing the ratchet wheel, and friction means for driving the drumfrom said ratchet wheel.

13. In an advertising clock, a clock casing, a clock mechanism in thecasing, a clock face on the casing, the usual hour and minute handsdriven by the clock mechanism and cooperating with the face to show thetime, a rotatable drum within the casing, a plurality of advertisingplacards on the drum, each covering one of a number of equal sections ofthe drum, means for alternately moving the drum and holding the samestationary so as to display the advertising placards seriatim, a secondhand driven by the clock mechanism, and markings disposed around theclock face in groups corresponding to the numberofdrum sections, wherebythe advertising placards may bemade to harmonize and correspond with themarkings indicated by the second hand.

14. In an advertising device, a rotatable drum having a number ofequispaced advertising sections, means for rotating the drum to displaythe sections seriatim, a second hand, and a circular band around thehand having a number of sections corresponding to the drum sections.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 22d day of May,1931.

GEORGE WILLENS.

